Somewhere on the web I came across this interesting rendition of Jesus sitting in meditation posture.
I’m normally turned off by modern pictures of Christ, either because of the crucifixion aspect, or the general sappy vibe that a lot of them have, but I rather like this.
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Update: Thanks to Steven (see below) I now know that this image comes from the Old Temple of the Vedanta Society of Northern California.
According to Vedanta Press:
The story goes that Sw. Trigunatita had a dream or vision of Jesus Christ and asked one of his disciples to paint it according to the scene he remembered. The result is a classic painting of value not only to those who see a synthesis of spirit with Christ and the East, but to the Christian community as a whole.
It’s very typical of Hinduism to try to co-opt figures from other religious traditions. They’ve done this with the Buddha, who they claim was an avatar of Vishnu, although of course the Buddha did not see himself as being the avatar of any deity.
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That is a beautiful painting. I’d love to know who the artist is. Any idea?
I did a search but didn’t find the author. It’s on the cover of a 1992 book, Sermon on the Mount According to Vedanta, by Swami Prabhavananda, but that hasn’t helped me identify the artist.
I found it! https://www.vedanta.com/store/christ_the_yogi.htm?__utma=1.413519345.1347801470.1347801470.1347801470.1&__utmb=1.6.10.1347801470&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1347801470.1.1.utmcsr=vedanta.org|utmccn=(referral)|utmcmd=referral|utmcct=/about-the-vedanta-society/bookstores/&__utmv=-&__utmk=235580929
Hi Bodhipaksa
I’m writing a book on Christian contemplative prayer or meditation and would like to use this painting of Jesus meditation on the cover. This is the image of Jesus that has helped me the most in my own practice and, since the book is about the meditation I personally practice and teach, I would like to use this image, if possible, on the cover to help those who read it.
Do you happen to know who or what museum owns the original, what it is officially called(title of the painting), or whether I need permission to use it on my cover?
Any help in this regard would be appreciated, thank you.
Hi, Roger.
The place where the image is kept is mentioned (and linked to) in the article. You’d certainly need permission to use the image on your book cover. Bear in mind that it’s the photograph that’s copyright. You’d need permission from the photographer rather than the temple. But I don’t know who the photographer is. I’d suggest approaching the Temple to find out, or to see if they have another photograph you could use.
All the best,
Bodhipaksa